John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A mystical secret and the complex nature of love swirl at the center of Trusting Wine by Rachel Lee Glass. Although a future-telling wine drives the plot of this family drama, the magical realism is balanced by powerful dialogue, vulnerable moments of personal confession, and delicate discussions of faith. The narrative style is quite declarative, which can be jarring against the romantic essence of the novel, but overall Glass delivers a confident and magical musing on life, family, and destiny in this original and entertaining novel.

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Spunky the crime-solving pooch returns in The Nose Rules, the fourth standalone installment of author Holly L. Lewitas’ endearing mystery series. This time around, Spunky and her menagerie of neighborhood sidekicks lend “Mom” a paw to help unravel a local disappearance, and solve a brutal murder. This charming read from a dog’s-eye view is both entertaining and impressive, as the author deeply develops the personalities of her characters – both old and new, human and otherwise. At times heartfelt, and others laugh-out-loud funny, The Nose Rules is an ideal escape for anyone who loves mischievous pets and unpredictable mysteries.[…]

Drawing on her long and successful career as a plastic surgery and aesthetic coach, author Michelle Emmick dramatically pulls back the curtain on the secretive world of cosmetic surgery in her book, Blue-Collar Beauty. Not only do these musings and memories demonstrate Emmick’s expertise in personal improvement and her philosophy behind self-love, but they may also guide any readers considering a cosmetic procedure for themselves. This easy-to-read memoir is full of wisdom and authenticity that is only attainable by an authority in the field.

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Author Marvin Scholz delivers a stunning guide for personal healing after loss in Learning How to Heal a Broken Heart. Pulling directly from his own tragic experiences and using clear, compassionate language, this book examines the wounds of heartache, examining what hurts us and how we can move forward to future health and happiness. While some of the advice comes across as objective judgment of subjective experience, the confidence, wisdom and sincerity in Scholz’s writing is compelling and uncompromising, cutting to the core of this relatable and painful struggle.

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In the legendary tradition of “Star Wars” and other underdog epics, From the Ashes by A.B. Lucian is a fast-paced thriller on a universal scale, pitting the cruel might of an empire against the fragile, rebellious hope of enslaved masses. Written in accessible language for younger readers, the plot is somewhat predictable, but the narration overflows with description that brings the Arkanian Empire to life. Steeped in the complexity of family bonds, boasting eccentric supporting characters and a message of hope against insurmountable odds, From the Ashes is an expansive, ambitious, and memorable YA adventure.

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JC Bratton delivers a spine-tingling supernatural thriller with desperate ghosts, old secrets, and unrequited love in Who’s at the Door? A mysterious connection between the housebound protagonist and a young missing girl sets a haunting tone that will keep readers devouring pages from start to finish. This novella is packed with twists throughout and the rapid, heart-pounding chapters fly fast as this dark mystery grows. Some scenes do feel unnecessarily rushed, but for a spooky afternoon escape, Who’s at the Door? is an ideal choice.

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Blending epic mythology and historical fiction with clever philosophy and sci-fi thrills, Stephen C. Perkins delivers a stunning new read in Sky Parlor. The ancient struggle between Artemis and Apollonia rages on within these pages, bouncing from the dramatic assassination of Abraham Lincoln to the grim bureaucratic reality of the 24th century. Perkins weaves an incredibly dense and detailed future-scape, bolstered by an unpredictable plot that is both oddly relatable and wildly creative. Questions of spirituality, mankind’s destiny, the illusion of freedom, and the overreach of science make this wickedly clever mystery a vivid and thought-provoking pleasure to read.[…]